Recent Press Releases

NDAA Issues Statement on AG Sessions Memo to Federal Prosecutors on Charging and Sentencing GuidelinesOn Friday, May 12, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo to all federal prosecutors updating the Department of Justice's charging and sentencing guidelines. NDAA issued a press release regarding that memo.
Read more here.

National District Attorneys Association issues statement on appointment of District Attorney Steve Marshall as Alabama AG
ARLINGTON, Virginia — The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) was pleased to learn that earlier today Alabama Governor Robert Bentley appointed Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall to be the next Attorney General for the state of Alabama. Marshall steps into that role after the Governor appointed Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange to serve the as the next Senator from the state in the United States Senate. Read full press release

NDAA Endorses Senator Jeff Sessions for United States Attorney General
On November 18 NDAA President Mike Ramos, San Bernardino County District Attorney, announced the support of the NDAA for the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to be the next U.S. Attorney General. Citing his experience not only as a Senator but also as a state and federal prosecutor, the organization felt that he is uniquely qualified to hold this position.Read press release

NDAA Letter to President on PCAST Report
In an effort to respond to the report issued by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) entitled "Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods", NDAA developed a formal response letter to President Obama highlighting disagreement with much of the advisory body's findings and determination of scientific validity.

National District Attorneys Association issues statement regarding passing of former Attorney General Janet RenoRead full Press release

NDAA Leads Effort with IACP and MCC to Pass Forensics Legislation in Lame Duck
On October 11, NDAA, along with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), sent a letter to House leadership calling for the swift passage of the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016 and the Rapid DNA Act of 2015 during the lame duck session of Congress. The three groups believe that the bills should be moved separate from any broader criminal justice reform package. To read the full letter, click here.

NDAA Statement
at Recent PCAST Meeting
This past Friday, NDAA's Executive Director, Kay Chopard Cohen, read the attached statement during the public comment period of the most recent meeting of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The statement is in response to the release of the PCAST report entitled "Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature Comparison Methods". For any questions, please contact NDAA's Nelson Bunn.

National District Attorneys Association slams President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report
Yesterday, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) voted to release a report highly critical of forensic science and questioning the scientific validity of several disciplines. The report further calls for prosecutors to not seek to admit evidence within these disciplines into court and for judges to not allow it. NDAA strongly opposes this report and the irresponsible move by PCAST. NDAA's statement regarding that vote can be found HERE.

Cyrus Vance Interview
on Smartphone Encryption
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr was recently interviewed by Fox News to discuss the smartphone encryption issue and its impact on victims of crime. Watch interview

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch Addresses NDAA Capital ConferenceWashington, DC • United States Tuesday, February 2, 2016Read it here

Police Chiefs and Prosecutors Join Together to Seek Lawful Access to Encrypted CommunicationsRead more

For Immediate Release - Oct. 28, 2015National Meeting Focuses on New Strategies
to Prosecute, Prevent Domestic Violence
NDAA Calls for National Strategy on Domestic Violence Cases
The National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), along with San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, called for a national strategy on the prosecution of domestic violence this morning as they welcomed participants at a National Symposium on the Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases. The meeting is being held in San Diego over the next two days. The event is co-sponsored by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Alliance for HOPE International, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Association of Prosecutor Coordinators, National Congress of American Indians and the National Sheriff’s Association.Read full Press Release

The Impact of Body-Worn Cameras on a ProsecutorSeptember 10, 2015
By Kay Chopard CohenExecutive Director
National District Attorneys AssociationRead article